Rugby HQ top five - fans gone wild
2:45

Sean Maloney gets a helping hand from some crazy fans in this week's top five fans gone wild.

Fox Sports

12 Jun 2014

Sport/Rugby Union/News

New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett, right, runs out of the reach of England’s Manu Tuilagi in the second international rugby test at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand, Saturday, June 14, 2014. (AP Photo/SNPA, Ross Setford) NEW ZEALAND OUTSource: AP

IT’S been a whirlwind couple of weeks of June Test action with the southern hemisphere nations again dominating their northern counterparts.

The All Blacks – who will this week chase a record-equalling 17th straight Test win - are two from two over England, the Springboks last week totally dismantled Wales while the Wallabies will look to wrap up a series sweep of France on Saturday afternoon.

The one highlight for our friends up north has been Ireland’s efforts in Argentina where they claimed a two-nil series victory.

But there remains one final opportunity for England, France and Wales to redeem themselves this weekend as the June Test window concludes across the southern hemisphere.

The one-point margin suggests England missed another glorious opportunity to defeat the All Blacks in New Zealand last week but truth be told, they were blown away by the hosts in a blistering 15-minute period immediately after half-time.

Inspired by the magic of Ben Smith, the All Blacks put three tries on the visitors and sent a reminder to the rest of the world that they remain the kings of running rugby.

Crucially, the England coaching staff have seen the error of their ways and returned Manu Tuilagi to his rightful place at outside centre. Head coach Stuart Lancaster has made six other changes to his side, the biggest of which sees Ben Youngs and Freddie Burns – the starting halves in the first Test – replace the injured Danny Care and Owen Farrell.

Stadium security smash streaker at All Blacks game
0:23

A streaker has been crunched by stadium security in what can only be described as one of the hits of the year during the All Blacks' match against England in Dunedin.

Fox Sports

16 Jun 2014

Sport/Rugby Union/News

The All Blacks have themselves made a couple of changes with Malakai Fekitoa earning his first Test start at No.13 while Kieran Read is finally fit after ongoing concussion problems and will line up at No.8.

It’s a dead rubber but with another clash to come back in London in November, the visitors are treating this as a four-Test series – one they’re desperate to keep alive.

Keep an eye on Kieran Read. The reigning IRB Player of the Year has missed plenty of rugby this season and while Jerome Kaino has deputised admirably across the first two Tests, Read brings a skill set few forwards in the world possess.

On the punt: They did the job for us last week and the 1-12 margin again looks the goods for the All Blacks. Tab.com.au has you covered at $2.60.

Top five rugby tries of the weekend
2:11

The weekend's international rugby fixtures provided some memorable tries, here is the pick of the bunch

Fox Sports

15 Jun 2014

Sport/Rugby Union/News

Heyneke Meyer’s side were in an unforgiving mood last week as they piled on four tries in the first half against Wales with fullback Willie le Roux scoring one and setting up two more in a virtuoso performance that drew high praise from his coach.

The Welsh couldn’t handle the physical Springboks forwards and with the visitors’ defence constantly backtracking, le Roux and Bryan Habana had a night to remember.

The Springboks have made just two changes to the side that triumphed 38-16 in Durban with Tendai Mtawarira and Flip van der Merwe replacing Gurthro Steenkamp and Bakkies Botha at prop and lock respectively.

Wales have also made just two changes despite the heavy nature of last week’s loss with Samson Lee to start at prop and Josh Turnbull earning a jersey at flanker.

The visitors will need a major form reversal if they’re to get within cooee of South Africa.

Keep an eye on Willie le Roux. How can we go past the little Cheetahs flyer after last week’s masterclass?

On the punt: The Springboks should cover the -16.5 line with ease. Tab.com.au have it at 1.90.

Argentina v Scotland, 5.10am AEST Saturday, Cordoba, FS1HD

Odds: Argentina $1.45, Scotland $2.65

Battling after back-to-back defeats to the Irish, Argentina welcome the far-less threatening opposition of Scotland to Cordoba this weekend.

Fielding a squad without many of their European-based stars, the Pumas were far from disgraced in 12 and six-point defeats with a lack of experience proving crucial in several key moments.

Scotland meanwhile are making their third stop on a four-match trip which has already yielded victories over the lowly United States and Canada, and they’ll be desperate to add another win before what looks like being an absolute bloodbath against the Boks next weekend.

The Pumas deserve to be favourites and should have too much power up front for the Scots, who are still finding their feet under new coach Vern Cotter.

Sean Maitland (L) is one of the few Scots with genuine linebreak ability.Source: News Limited

Keep an eye on British and Irish Lions winger and former Crusaders flyer Sean Maitland – he should appreciate the fast track on hand in Cordoba.

On the punt: Judging by what Scotland served up in Canada last week the Pumas look great value to cover the -5.5 line at 1.87.

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